06-12-syd-can-prev Credit: Naomi Woodley / flickr.com/thenomes

The 2013/14 W-League premiership will be decided this weekend when Sydney FC and Canberra United close out the regular season.

Last round saw Sydney FC’s dominant style back on display as they continued their league unbeaten run against cross towners Western Sydney Wanderers in a 3-1 derby win at Campbelltown Stadium.

Meanwhile Canberra United trounced the bottom of the table Newcastle Jets in a cruisy 5-0 victory in warm conditions at McKellar Park.

A tough schedule last week pushed Sydney FC to their limits and they faced the Wanderers at the end of a hard-hitting three game run which included Sydney’s first loss of the season.

While Sydney were a pale version of themselves they were able to govern their Western Sydney counterparts across most of the park with Teresa Polias and Trudy Camilleri excellent in maintaining possession.

Leena Khamis, now a strong attacking central midfielder, who has learnt from earlier games adopting improved positioning and deservedly earning the Player of the Match.

Some hairy moments on the counter attack saw the Wanderers hit the woodwork on a few occasions. However, thanks to a commandeering Danielle Brogan, the Red and Black Sydney-siders were mostly confined to shooting from distance or sending a striker into space to be smothered by Casey Dumont.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Dumont continues to be a standout for the team providing excellent sweeper coverage for Sydney while they play a high line in their endless pursuit for goals.

Canberra United have warmed up as the season comes to a close with their slick much-lauded midfield now easily finding pacey forwards Michelle Heyman and Stephanie Ochs.

The green machine dispatched a heavy lesson to the Newcastle Jets with not just a hefty 5-0 scoreline but utilising 5 different goal scorers (Heyman, Shipard, Brush, Yeoman-Dale, Bisset), from multiple different plays, spaced across the duration of the game.

No mad rush to find a goal at the end, Canberra have become a much cooler character than mid-season.

The communication between US imports Lori Lindsey and Stephanie Ochs and the unswerving Ash Sykes has found the magic formula. Canberra have become a team who are less reliant on a few key players that can be marked out of the game.

One to watch next round is Sydney FC centreback cum midfielder Renee Rollason who will be celebrating her 70th W-league game making her the most capped player in the league.

Rollason’s transition to the defence now set in concrete she has formed a solid and reliable figure for Sydney improving on her dead ball skills to expand her already vast repertoire.

The return of Ellyse Perry from her world-class ‘Player of the Tournament’ performance at the recent Ashes will be a boost for the Sky Blues with Perry complimenting the existing back four and providing quality lobbing corners and crosses with Sam Kerr.

Sydney FC have now become truly dangerous from distance for the first time. This means a sly professional tackle on one of the many swift Sydney striker’s (ie. Emma Kete, Jodie Taylor, Caitlin Foord) could be costly for Canberra if it means putting the nets in danger of a Sydney free kick.

However, Canberra United do not boast the best defensive record due to luck.

Conceding only 7 goals in 11 games Canberra’s backline has been run with aplomb by seasoned Captain Ellie Brush. Wingbacks Nicole Sykes and Sally Rojahn work tirelessly throwing themselves into the fray to earn every ball.

The return of Canberra faithful Sally Shipard serves as a timely omen for the 2011/12 Premier/Champions as she finds fitness at the same time Caitlin Munoz settles into top form.

Last time these two met Canberra made seemingly easy use of Sydney’s wings to take a 2-1 win so the decision will be for Sydney Coach Alen Stajcic whether to return all-rounder Foord back into defence.

Expect a skirmish of footballing spectacle – the ultimate in offence v defence.

Canberra United, the league’s best defensive team taking on Sydney FC, who have set a new W-league record with 36 goals scored (averaging over 3 goals per game).

A fairytale regular season finish is looming for one of these teams and the drama could not have been better planned.

Sydney FC have conceded their only loss to Canberra United so it is a fitting end to the Premiership run that these top two teams should battle it out for the Number 1 spot.

Head to Head: Played 8, Sydney FC 4, Canberra 2, Draw 2

Sydney FC v Canberra United

Sunday 9 February 2014

Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney

Local kick-off: 5.15pm

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Liz Ralston, Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Ellyse Perry, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Ellyse Perry (returns from cricket commitments), Alesha Clifford (promoted)

Outs: Trudy Camilleri (omitted)

Unavailable: Anna Green (Achilles – two weeks), Natalie Tobin (illness – two weeks)

Canberra United squad: Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Caitlin MUNOZ, Ellie BRUSH, Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Sally ROJAHN, Nicole SYKES (c), Ashleigh SYKES, Sally SHIPARD, Lori LINDSEY, Trudy BOURKE (gk), Stephanie OCHS (one to be omitted)

Ins: Stephanie Ochs, Catherine Brown, Kendall Fletcher, Grace Gill (all promoted)

Outs: Jennifer Bisset, Grace Field, Holly Houston (all omitted)